Several health boards – including Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lothian, Borders and the Western Isles – said they held no information on GPs as they are independent contracts and as such manage their own vacancies, as is the case for the vast majority of GPs across Scotland.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said: “Staff at GP surgeries do amazing work but it is clear that many are at their wits end.

“This new research is an insight into the difficulties facing GPs in every corner of the country.

“Posts have lain empty for two years. Others have been advertised again and again without success.”

He said projections indicated a shortage of GPs by 850 by 2021, not factoring in the Brexit impact.